Blog & News

October 23, 2012

Americans have a love affair with the Bungalow. The term “bungalow” originated in the Bengal region of India. Evolving from a native hut called a bangala. A bangala was described as a comfortable abode built low to the ground with high thatched roofs and overhanging eaves, which shaded the single story home, a perfect way…

October 22, 2012

Here’s something to consider the next time you’re stuck in traffic in downtown Portland: If city planners succeed, that congestion won’t improve. In fact, it might even get worse. As they work on a wide-ranging plan for the future of the central city, a blueprint to ensure that downtown Portland’s next 20 years are as successful as…

October 17, 2012

Many experts are beginning to call a bottom in house prices. Why? Writing in the Financial Times, Roger Altman, former deputy Treasury secretary, explained why he is so bullish on housing: “This surge will be driven by a combination of improving house prices, a lower inventory of homes for sale, rising rates of household formation…

October 11, 2012

There is some good news on the housing front with two reports indicating the long-stagnant U.S. real estate market is climbing to its feet and growing more stable. The first indicator comes from CoreLogic, which says the nation’s current “shadow inventory” of homes is in decline, a healthy sign more houses are moving off the “for sale” market….

October 11, 2012

Twelve years ago, the U.S. Green Building Council launched a rating system called LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, hoping that architects, engineers, designers and real estate firms would improve energy efficiency and increase the use of recycled materials and nontoxic paint in their projects to win LEED-certified recognition. Now LEED has grown…

October 4, 2012

Investment firm Morgan Stanley has high hopes for the housing market’s recovery this year and next. “We expect to see 2012 end with an increase of 7 to 9% for the year in aggregate home prices after considering seasonality effects for the remainder of the year, with the possibility of a 10 to 12% increase on…

October 2, 2012

October’s National Energy Awareness Month is designed to promote smart energy choices. We all can do small things to save energy around our homes and work places. No matter how large the problem may appear, we all have the means to shape our energy future and move our nation toward energy independence. The following energy…

October 2, 2012

The buyer should always look at the COST of a home, not just the PRICE. The cost is determined by the price and the mortgage interest rate which is available at the time. Below is a list of the interest rates over the last ten years and the impact they have on a $100,000 mortgage…

September 25, 2012

In another sign of a turnaround in the long-battered real estate market, average home prices returned to the best level in nine years in July. According to the closely watched S&P/Case-Shiller national home price index, which covers more than 80% of the housing market in the United States, the typical home price in July rose…